Effects of far-infrared radiation lamp therapy on recovery from a simulated soccer-match in elite female soccer players.

We investigated the effects of far-infrared radiation (FIR) lamp therapy on changes in muscle damage and performance parameters following six sets of 15-min Loughborough intermittent shuttle test (LIST), a simulated soccer match. Twenty-four elite female soccer players (20-24 y) were assigned into FIR or sham treatment group (n = 12/group). The participants received a 60-min FIR or sham treatment (30 min per muscle) over knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF) at 2, 25, 49, 73, and 97 h post-LIST. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) torque and muscle soreness of the KE and KF, plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity as muscle damage markers, and several performance parameters including countermovement jump (CMJ) and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (YYIR1) were measured before and 1, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h post-LIST. Changes in the measures were compared between groups by a mixed-design two-way ANOVA. The running distance covered during LIST and changes in the measures at 1-h post-LIST (before the treatment) were similar (p = 0.118-0.371) between groups. Changes in muscle damage markers at 24-120 h post-LIST were smaller (p < 0.05, η2 = 0.208-0.467) for the FIR (e.g., MVC-KE torque decrease at 48-h post-LIST: -1 ± 2%, peak KE soreness: 16 ± 10 mm, peak CK: 172 ± 42 IU/L) than sham group (-11 ± 9%, 33 ± 7 mm, 466 ± 220 IU/L, respectively). Performance parameters recovered faster (p < 0.05, η2 = 0.142-0.308) to baseline for the FIR (e.g., decreases at 48-h post-LIST; CMJ: 0 ± 1%, YYIR1: 0 ± 1%) than sham group (-6 ± 2%, -9 ± 6%, respectively). These results suggest that the FIR lamp therapy was effective for enhancing recovery from a soccer match.

Adequate Interval between Matches in Elite Female Soccer Players.

The present study compared four different intervals between three simulated soccer matches for changes in muscle damage and performance parameters. Thirteen well-trained female university soccer players performed three bouts of 90-min Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) with four different intervals between bouts; one (1d), two (2d), three (3d) and four days (4d), with >12-weeks between conditions in a counterbalanced order. Heart rate, blood lactate, rating of perceived exertion and distance covered in each LIST were measured. Changes in several muscle damage markers (e.g., maximal voluntary isometric torque of the knee extensors: MVC-KE, muscle soreness), performance parameters (e.g., Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1: Yo-Yo IR1), and blood measures (e.g., osmolality, high sensitivity cardiac troponin T) before the first LIST, 1 h after each LIST, and one to five days after the third LIST were compared among the conditions. The total distance covered during the first two LISTs was not different among the conditions, but that during the third LIST was shorter (P < 0.05) for the 1d (9,416 ± 885 m) and 2d conditions (9,737 ± 246 m) than the 3d (10,052 ± 490 m) and 4d conditions (10,432 ± 538 m). Changes in all measures were smaller (P < 0.05) in the 3d and 4d conditions (e.g., the decrease in MVC-KE at one day after the third LIST was -13 ± 4% and -10 ± 3%, respectively) when compared with the 1d and 2d conditions (-20 ± 7%, -18 ± 5%). Performance parameters showed smaller (P < 0.05) changes in the 4d (e.g., the decrease in Yo-Yo IR1 at one day after the third LIST was -9 ± 3%) and 3d (-13 ± 6%) conditions when compared with the 1d (-19 ± 4%) and 2d (-20 ± 8%) conditions. These results suggest that muscle damage and fatigue accumulate when soccer matches are performed three consecutive days or every other day, but if more than three days are inserted between matches, this could be minimized.

Contralateral versus ipsilateral protective effect against muscle damage of the elbow flexors and knee extensors induced by maximal eccentric exercise.

The present study compared the ipsilateral repeated bout effect (IL-RBE) and contralateral repeated bout effect (CL-RBE) of the elbow flexors (EF) and knee flexors (KF) for the same interval between bouts to shed light on their mechanisms. Fifty-two healthy sedentary young (20-28 years) men were randomly assigned to the IL-EF, IL-KF, CL-EF, and CL-KF groups (n = 13/group). Thirty maximal eccentric contractions of the EF were performed in IL-EF and CL-EF, and 60 maximal eccentric contractions of the KF were performed in IL-KF and CL-KF, with a 2-week interval between bouts. Changes in muscle damage markers such as maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, muscle soreness, and plasma creatine kinase activity, and proprioception measures before to 5 days post-exercise were compared between groups. Changes in all variables were greater (p < 0.05) after the first than second bout for all groups, and the changes were greater (p < 0.05) for the EF than KF. The changes in all variables after the second bout were greater (p < 0.05) for the CL than IL condition for both EF and KF. The magnitude of the average protective effect was similar between CL-EF (33%) and CL-KF (32%), but slightly greater (p < 0.05) for IL-EF (67%) than IL-KF (61%). These demonstrate that the magnitude of CL-RBE relative to IL-RBE was similar between the EF and KF (approximately 50%), regardless of the greater muscle damage for the EF than KF. It appears that the CL-RBE is more associated with neural adaptations at cerebrum, cerebellum, interhemispheric inhibition, and coricospinal tract, but the IL-RBE is induced by additional adaptations at muscles.

Effects of far-infrared radiation lamp therapy on recovery from muscle damage induced by eccentric exercise.

The present study investigated the effects of a far-infrared radiation (FIR) lamp therapy on changes in muscle damage and proprioception markers after maximal eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors (EF: Study 1) and the knee flexors (KF: Study 2) in comparison to a sham treatment condition. In each study, 24 healthy sedentary women were assigned to a FIR or a sham treatment group (n = 12/group). They performed 72 maximal EF eccentric contractions (Study 1) or 100 maximal KF eccentric contractions (Study 2) with their non-dominant limbs. They received a 30-min FIR (wavelength: 8-14 µm) or sham treatment at 1, 25, 49, 73 and 97 h post-exercise to the exercised muscles. Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) torque, muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase activity, and proprioception assessed by position sense, joint reaction angle, and force match were measured before, and 0.5, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h post-exercise. The outcome measures showed significant changes (P < 0.05) at 0.5-hour post-exercise (before treatment) similarly (P > 0.05) between the conditions in both studies. However, changes in all measures at 24-120 h post-exercise were smaller (P < 0.05) for the FIR than sham condition in both studies. For example, MVC torque returned to the baseline by 72 h post-exercise for the FIR condition in both studies, but was still 19 ± 6% (Study 1) or 17 ± 12% (Study 2) lower than the baseline at 120 h post-exercise for the sham condition. These results suggested that the FIR lamp therapy was effective for accelerating recovery from muscle damage.

FIR lamp therapy was effective for recovering muscle strength and proprioception 1­3 days faster to the baseline.FIR lamp therapy was effective for attenuating muscle soreness by 55­60%, and reducing peak plasma CK activity by 45­89%.The effects of the FIR lamp therapy appear to be greater than other therapeutic interventions for eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage that have been investigated previously.

Effects of Unilateral Eccentric versus Concentric Training of Nonimmobilized Arm during Immobilization.

INTRODUCTION: The present study tested the hypothesis that eccentric training (ET) of nonimmobilized arm would attenuate negative effects of immobilization and provide greater protective effects against muscle damage induced by eccentric exercise after immobilization, when compared with concentric training (CT). METHODS: Sedentary young men were placed to ET, CT, or control group ( n = 12 per group), and their nondominant arms were immobilized for 3 wk. During the immobilization period, the ET and CT groups performed five sets of six dumbbell curl eccentric-only and concentric-only contractions, respectively, at 20%-80% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVCiso) strength over six sessions. MVCiso torque, root-mean square (RMS) of electromyographic activity during MVCiso, and bicep brachii muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured before and after immobilization for both arms. All participants performed 30 eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors (30EC) by the immobilized arm after the cast was removed. Several indirect muscle damage markers were measured before, immediately after, and for 5 d after 30EC. RESULTS: ET increased MVCiso (17% ± 7%), RMS (24% ± 8%), and CSA (9% ± 2%) greater ( P < 0.05) than CT (6% ± 4%, 9% ± 4%, 3% ± 2%) for the trained arm. The control group showed decreases in MVCiso (-17% ± 2%), RMS (-26% ± 6%), and CSA (-12% ± 3%) for the immobilized arm, but these changes were attenuated greater ( P < 0.05) by ET (3% ± 3%, -0.1% ± 2%, 0.1% ± 0.3%) than CT (-4% ± 2%, -4% ± 2%, -1.3% ± 0.4%). Changes in all muscle damage markers after 30EC were smaller ( P < 0.05) for the ET and CT than the control group, and ET than the CT group (e.g., peak plasma creatine kinase activity: ET, 860 ± 688 IU·L -1 ; CT, 2390 ± 1104 IU·L -1 ; control, 7819 ± 4011 IU·L -1 ). CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that ET of the nonimmobilized arm was effective for eliminating the negative effects of immobilization and attenuating eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage after immobilization.

Effects of Far-Infrared Radiation-Lamp Therapy on Recovery From Simulated Soccer Match Running Activities in Elite Soccer Players.

PURPOSE: The authors investigated whether far-infrared radiation (FIR) lamp therapy would reduce muscle damage and enhance recovery from multiple soccer-match-related running activities. METHODS: Twenty-four elite female soccer players (20-24 y) were assigned into a FIR or a sham treatment group (n = 12/group). They performed a daily 90-minute Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) for 6 consecutive days. Maximal voluntary contraction torque of the knee extensors (KEs) and flexors, muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase activity, countermovement jump, and several other performance measures (eg, 30-m dash, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1) were taken before the first LIST, 1 hour after each LIST, and 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after the last LIST. All participants received a 30-minute FIR or sham treatment on KEs and knee flexors, respectively, at 2 hour after each LIST and 25, 49, 73, and 97 hours after the last LIST. RESULTS: All measures changed significantly (P < .05) at 1 hour after the first LIST without difference (P > .05) between groups. Maximal voluntary contraction torque (eg, the largest decrease of KE for FIR: 13% [4%], sham: 25% [5%]), countermovement jump height (4% [3%] vs 14% [4%]), and other performance measures (eg, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test: 11% [5%] vs 26% [5%]) decreased less, and peak muscle soreness (eg, KE: 26 [9] vs 51 [18] mm) and plasma creatine kinase activity (172 [32] vs 1289 [610] IU/L) were smaller for the FIR than for the sham group (P < .05), and they returned to the baseline earlier (P < .05) for the FIR group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the FIR therapy provided potent effects on reducing accumulated muscle damage and enhancing recovery.

Changes in Insulin Sensitivity and Lipid Profile Markers Following Initial and Secondary Bouts of Multiple Eccentric Exercises.

An acute bout of eccentric exercise affects insulin sensitivity and lipid profile, but how the magnitude of muscle damage affects them is not clear. We compared changes in blood insulin sensitivity and lipid markers after the first (EC1) and second (EC2) eccentric exercise bouts. Fifteen sedentary young men performed arm, leg and trunk muscle eccentric exercises, and repeated them 2 weeks later. Fasting blood samples were taken before, 2 h and 1-5 days after each exercise bout to analyze plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, serum glucose (GLU), insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), triacylglycerols (TG), total (TC) and low- (LDLC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) concentrations as well as TC/HDLC ratio. Changes in these measures were compared between bouts and relationships to peak plasma CK activity were analyzed. Plasma CK activity increased (p < 0.05) after EC1 (peak: 101,668 ± 58,955 IU/L) but not after EC2. The magnitude of changes in GLU (peak after EC1: 26 ± 10% vs. EC2: 7 ± 6%), insulin (46 ± 27% vs. 15 ± 8%), HOMA (86 ± 48% vs. 24 ± 15%), TC (-20 ± 5% vs. -6 ± 4%), TG (-32 ± 11% vs. -6 ± 3%), LDHC (-47 ± 15% vs. -12 ± 9%), HDLC (35 ± 26% vs. 7 ± 4%), and TC/HDLC ratio (-139 ± 13% vs. -11 ± 7%) were significantly greater after EC1 than EC2. Peak plasma CK activity was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with the peak changes in blood insulin sensitivity and lipid markers for the combined data of EC1 and EC2. These results suggest that the greater the magnitude of muscle damage, the greater the magnitude of changes in the insulin sensitivity to a negative direction and lipid markers to a positive direction.

Changes in blood bone markers after the first and second bouts of whole-body eccentric exercises.

The present study compared the first (EC1) and second (EC2) bouts of whole-body eccentric exercises to examine the effects of the magnitude of muscle damage on changes in blood bone markers. Fifteen sedentary young men performed nine eccentric exercises of arm, leg, and trunk muscles, and repeated them 2 weeks later. Blood samples were taken before and 2 h and 1-5 days following each bout to analyze plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and myoglobin concentration, serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), type 1 C-terminal telopeptide (CTX-1), procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), undercarboxylated-osteocalcin (ucOCN), carboxylated-osteocalcin (cOCN), and leptin concentrations. All except ucOCN changed significantly (p < 0.05) after both bouts. When comparing bouts for peak changes, P1NP (bone formation marker) and CTX-1 (bone resorption marker) increased less after EC2 (peak: 137±96% and 7±6%, respectively) than after EC1 (146 ± 80% and 30 ± 21%, respectively), whereas BAP (bone formation marker) increased more after EC2 (18 ± 16%) than after EC1 (4 ± 15%) (p < 0.05). Leptin (49 ± 58%) and cOCN (14 ± 10%) increased more (p < 0.05) after EC2 than after EC1 (-30 ± 15%, 9 ± 26%). Significant (p < 0.05) correlations were evident between peak CK activity and peak CTX-1 (r = 0.847), P1NP (r = 0.815), BAP (r = -0.707), ucOCN (r = 0.627), cCON (r = -0.759), and leptin (r = -0.740) changes after EC1, but many of these correlations disappeared after EC2. This was also found for the relationships between other muscle damage markers (myoglobin, muscle soreness, and muscle strength) and the bone markers. It was concluded that bone turnover was affected by eccentric exercise, but muscle damage was unfavorable for bone formation.

Changes in plasma C1q, apelin and adropin concentrations in older adults after descending and ascending stair walking intervention.

This study compared changes in plasma complement component 1q (C1q), apelin and adropin concentrations in older obese women after descending (DSW) and ascending stair walking (ASW) training (n = 15/group) performed twice a week for 12 weeks, with gradual increases in exercise time from 5 to 60 min. Fasting blood samples were collected 3 days before the first and 4 days after the last training session. The improvements in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) strength of the knee extensors, functional physical fitness [e.g., 30-s chair stand (CS) performance], resting systolic blood pressure (SBP), insulin sensitivity [e.g., oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)] and blood lipid profiles [e.g., total cholesterol (TC)] were greater (p < 0.05) in the DSW than ASW group. Plasma C1q decreased (- 51 ± 30%), and apelin (23 ± 15%) and adropin (127 ± 106%) increased (p ≤ .0.05) only after DSW. Significant (p ≤ 0.01) partial correlations were found between the pre- to post-DSW changes in C1q, apelin or adropin and changes in outcome measures [e.g., C1q and MVIC (r = - 0.837), apelin and SBP (r = - 0.854), and andropin and OGTT (r = - 0.729)]. These results showed that greater decreases in plasma C1q and greater increases in apelin and adropin concentrations were associated with greater improvements in outcome measures after DSW than after ASW.

Muscle Damage and Performance after Single and Multiple Simulated Matches in University Elite Female Soccer Players.

The present study aimed to compare changes in muscle damage and performance parameters after playing single versus multiple soccer matches to examine fixture congestion effects on performance. Twelve elite female university soccer players performed single, three and six consecutive 90-min bouts of the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) with ≥12-weeks between conditions in a pseudo-randomized order. Heart rate, blood lactate, rating of perceived exertion and covering distance in each LIST were examined. Changes in several types of muscle damage (e.g., maximal voluntary isometric torque of the knee extensors: MVC-KE) and performance measures (e.g., Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1: YYIR1) were taken before each LIST, 1 h, and 1-5 d after the last LIST. The total distance covered during the LIST was shorter (p < 0.05) in the 2nd-3rd, or 2nd-6th LISTs when compared with the 1st LIST. Changes (p < 0.05) in all measures were observed after the LIST, and the greatest changes were observed after the six than after the three LISTs followed by one LIST (e.g., largest changes in MVC-KE: -26 > -20 > -14%; YYIR1: -31 > -26 > -11%). Many of the variables did not recover to the baseline for 5 d after six LISTs. These suggest that fixture congestion induces greater muscle damage and performance decline than a single match.

Effect of Leg Eccentric Exercise on Muscle Damage of the Elbow Flexors after Maximal Eccentric Exercise.

PURPOSE: The magnitude of muscle damage induced by maximal eccentric exercise is attenuated when the same exercise is repeated by homologous muscle of the ipsilateral or contralateral limb. It is not known if the muscle damage-protective effect is also transferred to nonhomologous muscles. The present study investigated the effects of unilateral knee extensor (KE) or flexor (KF) eccentric exercise on muscle damage induced by elbow flexor (EF) eccentric exercise of the ipsilateral or contralateral side. METHODS: Young healthy sedentary men were assigned to four experimental groups (n = 13 per group) that performed five sets of six maximal eccentric contractions (MaxEC) of the KE or KF of the same or opposite side of the arm that performed MaxEC of the EF 1 wk later, and a control group that performed two bouts of MaxEC of the EF using a different arm for each bout separated by 1 wk. Changes in several indirect muscle damage markers were compared among the groups by mixed-design, two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Changes in maximal voluntary concentric contraction torque, range of motion, muscle soreness, and plasma creatine kinase activity after KE or KF MaxEC were not different (P > 0.05) between legs, but greater (P < 0.05) after KF than KE MaxEC. The changes in the variables after EF MaxEC in the experimental groups were not different (P > 0.05) from the first bout of the control group but larger (P < 0.05) than the second bout of the control group, and no differences between the ipsilateral and contralateral sides were evident. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that no protective effect on EF MaxEC was conferred by the leg exercises, suggesting that muscle damage protection was not transferred from KE or KF to EF.

Striking muscle adaptations induced by volume-dependent repeated bouts of low-intensity eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors.

We investigated the effects of repeating 30 low-intensity eccentric contractions with a dumbbell corresponding to 10% maximal isometric strength (10%EC) on muscle strength and hypertrophy, and muscle damage after 30 maximal eccentric contractions (MaxEC) of the elbow flexors. Young men were placed into 1 of 3 experimental groups that performed 10%EC either once, twice a week for 4 (8 bouts) or 8 weeks (16 bouts) before MaxEC, or a control group that performed 2 bouts of MaxEC separated by 2 weeks (n = 13/group). Repeating 16 bouts of 10%EC increased (P < 0.05) maximal voluntary contraction strength (30 ± 21%) and muscle thickness (4.2 ± 2.3%) greater than 8 bouts (16 ± 4%, 1.9 ± 1.3%). Changes in the muscle damage markers after MaxEC were smaller (P < 0.05) for the experimental groups than the control group, and the magnitude of muscle damage protection was greater (P < 0.05) after 16 bouts (65 ± 30%) than 8 bouts (55 ± 33%), followed by 1 bout (34 ± 27%). The protection by 16 bouts was similar (P = 0.81) to that shown by the second MaxEC of the control group. These results showed that 10%EC produced potent muscle adaptation effects accumulatively and conferred muscle damage protection, but 1 bout of 10%EC was still effective for conferring approximately 20% of the protection of that by 16 bouts. Novelty: Repeating low-intensity eccentric exercise induces large increases in muscle strength and hypertrophy. Low-intensity eccentric exercise protects muscle damage induced by maximal eccentric contractions, and the protection is reinforced by repeating it. These are especially beneficial for individuals who are frail and cannot tolerate high-intensity resistance training.

Decreased running economy is not associated with decreased force production capacity following downhill running in untrained, young men.

The present study investigated the relationships between changes in running economy (RE) and indirect muscle damage markers following downhill running (DHR) to test the hypothesis that decreased RE after DHR would be associated with decreases in muscle function. Forty-five young men ran downhill (-15%) for 30 min at the velocity corresponding to 70% of their peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Oxygen uptake (VO2) and other parameters possibly associated with RE (blood lactate concentration, perceived exertion, stride length and frequency) were measured during 5-minute level running at the velocity corresponding to 80%VO2peak before, immediately after and 1-3 days after DHR. Knee extensor maximal voluntary contraction torque (MVC), rate of torque development, vertical jump performance, muscle soreness and serum creatine kinase activity were assessed at the same time points. The values of the dependent variables were compared among time points by one-way ANOVAs followed by Bonferroni post-hoc tests when appropriate. Pearson's correlation tests were used to examine relationships between changes in VO2 (RE parameter) and changes in muscle damage parameters. VO2 during the level run increased (p < 0.05) immediately after DHR (18.3 ± 4.6%) and sustained until 2 days post-DHR (11.7 ± 4.2%). MVC decreased (p < 0.05) immediately (-21.8 ± 6.1%) to 3 days (-13.6 ± 5.9%) post-DHR, and muscle soreness developed 1-3 days post-DHR. The magnitude of changes in VO2 did not significantly (p < 0.05) correlate with the changes in muscle damage makers (r = -0.02-0.13) nor stride length (r = -0.05) and frequency (r = -0.05). The absence of correlation between the changes in VO2 and MVC suggests that strength loss was not a key factor affecting RE.

Effect of preconditioning exercise on biceps brachii myotendinous junction displacement during elbow flexor eccentric exercise.

The present study tested the hypothesis that 30 low-intensity (10%) eccentric contractions (10%EC) or two maximal voluntary isometric contractions at a long muscle length (2MVIC) that were performed at two days before maximal eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors consisting of five sets of six maximal eccentric contractions (MaxEC) would reduce increases in biceps brachii distal myotendinous junction displacement (MTJd) over the eccentric contractions during MaxEC. Sedentary young men were randomly placed (n = 12/group) to a control group that performed two bouts of MaxEC (CONT-1st, CONT-2nd) separated by two weeks, or one of two preconditioning groups that performed 10%EC or 2MVIC at 20° elbow flexion at two days prior to MaxEC. All exercises were performed by the non-dominant arm. MTJd of each contraction was assessed by B-mode ultrasound, and its changes over sets were compared among the groups. The average MTJd from the start to the end of six eccentric contractions in the first set was similar among the groups (6.4 ± 0.7 mm). The MTJd increased from the first to fifth set, but the increase was smaller (P < .05) for the 10%EC (13 ± 6%) and 2MVIC (16 ± 9%) groups, and CONT-2nd (3 ± 6%) when compared with CONT-1st (60 ± 12%). Both 10%EC and 2MVIC groups showed smaller (P < .05) changes in all muscle damage markers after MaxEC similarly when compared with CONT-1st, but the changes were greater than those after CONT-2nd. These results supported the hypothesis that protective effect was associated with less MTJd changes, suggesting that this is associated with the mechanisms underpinning the preconditioning effect on muscle damage.

Acute responses of bone specific and related markers to maximal eccentric exercise of the knee extensors and flexors in young men.

OBJECTIVES: The present study determined time-course changes in plasma bone-specific and -related markers following a bout of maximal eccentric contractions (MaxEC) of bilateral knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF). METHODS: Sedentary young men (n=30) performed a bout of 10 sets of 10 MaxEC (30°/s) of KE and KF with each leg, respectively. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) torque, muscle soreness (SOR), plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, insulin, leptin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), undercarboxylated-osteocalcin (ucOCN), carboxy-terminal crosslinking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-1) and procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) concentrations were measured from before to 7 days after MaxEC. RESULTS: Significant changes in MVC (KE: -28%, KF: -38%), SOR and plasma CK activity (peak: 39,163 IU/L) following MaxEC were evident (P<0.05) compared to baseline. Plasma leptin (17%) concentrations decreased at 1 day after MaxEC. In bone related markers, plasma ucOCN concentrations (20%) increased at 7 days after MaxEC, and plasma CTX-1 concentrations decreased at 2, 4 and 7 days after MaxEC (6~7%; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that a lean effect of bone generation and an enhanced energy anabolism can be induced by a single bout of MaxEC.

Large increases in plasma fast skeletal muscle troponin I after whole-body eccentric exercises.

OBJECTIVES: It has been reported that plasma fast skeletal muscle troponin I (fsTnI) but not slow skeletal muscle troponin I (ssTnI) increases after a bout of eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors. The present study compared the first and second bouts of whole-body eccentric exercises for changes in plasma fsTnI and ssTnI concentrations. DESIGN: Observational study in an experimental group. METHODS: Fifteen sedentary men (20-25 y) performed nine eccentric exercises targeting arm, leg and trunk muscles, and repeated them two weeks later. Blood samples were taken before and for five days following each bout, and plasma ssTnI and fsTnl concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Their changes were compared between bouts and their relationships to plasma CK activity and myoglobin concentrations were analysed. RESULTS: Plasma fsTnI concentration increased after the first bout and peaked at 4 days post-exercise (2152-40,295 ng/mL), but no significant increases were evident after the second bout. Plasma ssTnI concentration did not change significantly from the baseline (<0.08 ng/mL) after either bout. Peak plasma fsTnI concentration was significantly (p < 0.005) correlated with peak plasma CK activity (peak: 23,238-207,304 IU/L, r = 0.727) and myoglobin concentration (1047-3936 µg/L, r = 0.625) after the first bout. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that plasma TnI concentrations are more specific biomarker of muscle damage than plasma CK activity and myoglobin concentration. It seems that the whole-body eccentric exercises induced damage preferentially to fast-twitch muscle fibres, and increases in plasma CK activity and myoglobin concentration after eccentric exercise may reflect fast-twitch muscle fibre damage.

Contralateral Effects by Unilateral Eccentric versus Concentric Resistance Training.

PURPOSE: Unilateral resistance training increases muscle strength of the contralateral homologous muscle by the cross-education effect. Muscle damage induced by second eccentric exercise bout is attenuated, even when it is performed by the contralateral limb. The present study compared the effects of unilateral eccentric training (ET) and concentric training (CT) of the elbow flexors (EF) on maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) strength and muscle damage of the contralateral untrained EF. METHODS: Young men were placed into ET, CT, ipsilateral repeated bout (IL-RB), and contralateral repeated bout (CL-RB) groups (n = 12 per group). The ET and CT groups performed unilateral EF training consisting of five sets of six eccentric and concentric contractions, respectively, once a week for 5 wk by increasing the intensity from 10% to 100% of MVC, followed by 30 maximal eccentric contractions (30MaxEC) of the opposite EF 1 wk later. The IL-RB group performed two bouts of 30MaxEC separated by 2 wk using the nondominant arm, and CL-RB group performed two bouts of 30MaxEC with a different arm for each bout in 1-wk apart. RESULTS: The MVC increased (P < 0.05) greater for the trained (19% ± 8%) and untrained (11% ± 5%) arms in ET when compared with those in CT (10% ± 6%, 5% ± 2%). The magnitude of changes in muscle damage markers was reduced by 71% ± 19% after the second than the first bout for IL-RB group, and by 48% ± 21% for CL-RB group. Eccentric training and CT attenuated the magnitude by 58% ± 25% and 13% ± 13%, respectively, and the protective effect of ET was greater (P < 0.05) than CL-RB, but smaller (P < 0.05) than IL-RB. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that cross-education effect was stronger for ET than CT, and progressive ET produced greater contralateral muscle damage protective effect than a single eccentric exercise bout.

Comparison among three different intensities of eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors resulting in the same strength loss at one day post-exercise for changes in indirect muscle damage markers.

PURPOSE: The present study compared three different intensity elbow flexor eccentric exercises resulting in the same magnitude of maximal voluntary isomeric contraction torque (MVC) decrease at 1 day post-exercise for changes in several indirect markers of muscle damage and proprioception. METHODS: Sedentary young men performed eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors using a dumbbell corresponding to either 10%, 50% or 100% of MVC to induce ~ 20% decrease in MVC at 1 day post-exercise (n = 12/group). MVC, range of motion (ROM), upper arm circumference (CIR), muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, and proprioception measures (force match, joint position sense) were taken before to 5 days after exercise, and the changes were compared among the groups. RESULTS: MVC and ROM recovered faster (P < 0.05) in the order of 10% (e.g., 3 days post-exercise: - 3 ± 4%, 0 ± 1%), 50% (- 12 ± 3%, - 3 ± 2%) and 100% group (- 16 ± 4%, - 5 ± 1%). Peak CIR, muscle soreness and CK activity were smaller for 10% (Δ3 ± 1 mm, 26 ± 10 mm, 1049 ± 316 IU/L) than 50% (Δ6 ± 2 mm, 36 ± 14 mm, 1473 ± 429 IU/L) and 100% groups (Δ8 ± 2 mm, 47 ± 15 mm, 2104 ± 929 IU/L). The proprioception measures recovered faster (P < 0.05) for 10% followed by 50% then 100% group. The recovery rate of MVC from immediately to 1 day post-exercise was correlated (P < 0.05) with the changes in the muscle damage and proprioception markers. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the MVC at 1 day post-exercise does not necessarily predict the changes in muscle damage markers in the following days, but the MVC recovery rate in the first 24 h reflects the magnitude of muscle damage better.

Damage protective effects conferred by low-intensity eccentric contractions on arm, leg and trunk muscles.

PURPOSE: Low-intensity eccentric contractions with a load corresponding to 10% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction strength (10% EC) attenuate muscle damage in a subsequent bout of higher-intensity eccentric contractions performed within 2 weeks for the elbow flexors, knee flexors and knee extensors. However, it is not known whether this strategy could be applied to other muscles. This study investigated whether 10% EC would confer damage protective effect on high-intensity eccentric contractions (80% EC) for nine different muscle groups. METHODS: Untrained young men were placed to an experimental or a control group (n = 12/group). Experimental group performed 50 eccentric contractions with a load corresponding to 10% EC at 2 days prior to 50 eccentric contractions with 80% EC for the elbow flexors and extensors, pectoralis, knee flexors and extensors, plantar flexors, latissimus, abdominis and erector spinae. Control group performed 80% EC without 10% EC. Changes in maximal voluntary isometric contraction strength (MVC) and muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and myoglobin concentration after 80% EC were compared between groups by a mixed-factor ANOVA. RESULTS: MVC recovered faster (e.g., 6-31% greater MVC at 5 days post-exercise), and peak muscle soreness was 36-54% lower for Experimental than Control group for the nine muscles (P < 0.05). Increases in plasma CK activity and myoglobin concentration were smaller for Experimental (e.g., peak CK: 2763 ± 3459 IU/L) than Control group (120,360 ± 50,158 IU/L). CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that 10% EC was effective for attenuating the magnitude of muscle damage after 80% EC for all muscles, although the magnitude of the protective effect differed among the muscles.

Damage and the repeated bout effect of arm, leg, and trunk muscles induced by eccentric resistance exercises.

This study compared nine resistance eccentric exercises targeting arm, leg, and trunk muscles in one session for changes in maximal voluntary isometric contraction strength (MVC), delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, and myoglobin (Mb) concentration after the first and second bouts. Fifteen sedentary men (20-25 years) performed 5 sets of 10 eccentric contractions with 80% of MVC load for the elbow flexors (EF), elbow extensors (EE), pectoralis, knee extensors (KE), knee flexors (KF), plantar flexors (PF), latissimus, abdominis, and erector spinae (ES) in a randomized order and repeated the same exercises 2 weeks later. MVC decreased at 1 (16%-57%) to 4 (13%-49%) days, DOMS developed (peak: 43-70 mm), and CK activity (peak: 23 238-207 304 IU/L) and Mb concentration showed large increases after the first bout. The magnitude of decrease in MVC was greater (P < 0.05) for EF, EE, and PEC than others and for KF than KE, PF, and ES. DOMS was greater (P < 0.05) for EF, EE, and ES than others. Changes in all measures were smaller (P < 0.05) after the second than the first bout, and the magnitude of the repeated bout effect was similar among the muscles. Plasma CK activity and Mb concentration did not increase significantly after the second exercise bout. It was concluded that muscle damage was greater for arm than leg muscles, and muscle proteins in the blood increased to a critical level after unaccustomed whole-body resistance exercises, but the magnitude of damage was largely attenuated for all muscles similarly after the second bout.